Research prepares for its big day out

Patients, public and staff will get a chance to see how they can get involved in clinical research during the Trust’s annual research showcase in May.

A member of the public with Dr Don Sim during the 2012 Research Open Day

QEHB Charity Research 2013 – You can get involved in research – will feature researchers from across the Trust’s many specialties providing interactive displays about their research work, enabling patients, public and staff to get a better understanding of the importance of research.

The event is on 20 May from 10:00 to 15:00 in the main atrium and Education Centre of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

Displays will include getting the chance to see and “feel” a human liver, see a microsurgical drill in action, use a thermal imaging camera, try the latest digital tooth brushing software and hear about the fascinating research that injured soldiers are involved in.

UHB’s Head of R&D Operations, Jo Plumb says the event is an important part of the Trust’s research work being undertaken which without the patients, public and staff would be impossible:

“Most patients who are asked if they would like to take part in research are very keen once they understand how they will be helping others. But most people aren’t aware of how they can get involved in research or the positive results for them and others. This event is about showing people how they can get involved.”

“The displays will be fun and interactive, so we hope to appeal to all ages and levels of knowledge about research.”

As well as displays, talks and presentations, visitors last year were able to get “up close and personal” with tests to find out:

how stiff their arteries were

how “old” their skin was

how good their joints were

how sensitive they were to pain

Peter Bracken, 62, of Sutton Coldfield, who was visiting his wife at QEHB, said it was a fascinating display, but declined to find out how old his skin was.

“I had some spare time so thought I would have a look round,” he said. “I didn’t know there was so much going on at the hospital.”

EVENTS

11 March 2019, 09:45-16:15 School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham The 1-day course, organised by the University of Birmingham in partnership with the Phenome Centre Birmingham, will provide clinicians with an overview of the metabolomics…